Kristy Boucher isn’t the least bit nervous about playing drums in front of millions of people across the country. “I’m just anxious to get out there and experience it,” she said.

Boucher, 17, was one of 200 members of the Salem High School Marching Band assembled in the school’s cafeteria to try on new uniforms Wednesday, Dec. 20.

The uniforms arrived just in time for the band’s six-day trip starting Dec. 28 to perform in Orlando, Fla., in the Citrus Bowl Parade and at Disney World.

The performance will be broadcast on New Year’s day to a national audience of about 75 million people.

The band has been preparing for months for the events and now they look the part, dressed in their sharply designed blue and black uniforms.

The school’s cafeteria was in a frenzy as band director Marty Claussen attempted to distribute uniforms and work out wardrobe malfunctions. “Mine is way too big,” one girl said to Claussen, as another complained hers was too small.

After an hour or so of resolving clothing issues, Claussen and the band were looking like a well-assembled team.

“We’ve been working hard,” he said. “The kids are ready to go.”

Likewise, band members said they were enthusiastic about the trip and performances.

There were a few freshmen expressing nervousness, but most said they couldn’t wait.

“It really feels like everything is coming together,” said Boucher, who is a drum major in the band.

Getting to this point has been a long and expensive process for the band which was selected to perform in the Citrus Bowl Parade out of hundreds of applicants from across the country, Claussen said.

Raising funds for the trip’s overall price tag of about $250,000 was the focus of much of the band’s attention throughout the first half of the school year.

By way of a craft fair, pizza sales and private donations, the band has been able to raise more than $80,000, Claussen said.

Students unable to afford the $1,150 needed to participate were given “scholarships” by the school so they can attend.

But Salem High’s marching band is no stranger to large, competitive events.

In past years, their strong reputation has landed them the chance to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the Tournament of Roses in California, and the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona.

The band will leave on Dec. 28 and return on Jan 2. “I’m looking forward to seeing the smiles on their faces,” Claussen said.